The Effects of Cannabidiol on Vasospasm Induced by Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats

Abstract Objective Cerebral vasospasm peaks between the fourth and seventh days after hemorrhage and occurs in approximately 70% of patients. Cannabidiol (CBD) has shown potential therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vasodilatory properties. We aimed to investigate the effects of CBD on vasospasm in rats with induced SAH. Methods Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups, with ten rats in each group: the non-surgical control group (Group 1), the untreated SAH group (Group 2), and groups receiving intraperitoneal injections of 50 mg CBD (Group 3), 100 mg CBD (Group 4), 200 mg CBD (Group 5), or 0.05 mg Nimodipine (Group 6) after SAH induction. Results In our study, total protein levels increased dose-dependently with CBD treatment, reaching the highest levels in the CBD200 group, indicating neuroprotective effects. IL-1ß and IL-6 levels were significantly lower in the groups treated with CBD, especially in the CBD50 group. Glutamate and myeloperoxidase levels were significantly reduced in the CBD-treated groups. We observed a decrease in Synapsin 1 in all treated groups, with the most significant reduction in the group treated with 50 mg/kg CBD. Histological measurements of the basilar artery for vasospasm showed that vasospasm was present in the untreated group, while the artery diameter was widest in the group treated with 50 mg/kg CBD. Conclusion The potential effect of CBD in reducing the severity of vasospasm and improving outcomes after SAH highlights its importance for future clinical applications.